SB2f The Brain and Spinal Cord problems

Question 1

CT scans (6)

Answer 1

.Computed tomography scans​

.Taken using multiple x-rays​
.X-ray beams move in circles around the head whilst detectors measure the absorption of x-rays​
.Computers put the x-ray images together to create a detailed internal image​

.Allows a deeper look into the brain​

.No risk of damaging the brain

Question 2

Brain surgery (5)

Answer 2

.Occurs when the patient is awake​

.Asked to describe what they feel​
.Electrode apply electrical currents to make patient do something or stop an action occurring​

.Allows the functions of brain parts to be investigated​

.Patients feel no pain as the brain has no pain receptors

Question 3

PET scans (5)

Answer 3

.Patient injected with radioactive glucose​

.Active cells take in more glucose than less active ones​
.Radioactive atoms release gamma rays which can be detected​
.More gamma rays come from more active cells​

.Patients do activities causing certain areas to be more active during PET scan

Question 4

Spinal cord damage (4)

Answer 4

.Prevents information flowing between the brain and the body​
.Causes loss of feeling and use of legs in lower body​
.Damage around the neck leads to quadriplegia (loss of use in arms and legs)

Question 5

Brain tumours (2)

Answer 5

.Uncontrollable cell division leads to tumour development (cancer)​
.Tumours can put pressure on the brain and stop certain areas working

Question 6

Limitations in treating spinal cord damage (3)

Answer 6

.Adult stem cells cannot differentiate into neurones​
.Damage cannot currently be repaired​
.Wires are sometimes used to electrically stimulate nerves and muscles below damaged region​ but patients still cannot have full movement or feeling

Question 7

Limitations in treating brain tumours (2)

Answer 7

.Can damage healthy cells
.Certain drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier - a natural filter
only allowing certain molecules into the brain cavity